Feb 03, 2010 - 04:08 PM

By Reka Szekely

AJAX -- When Don and Son, an Oshawa building supply company, decided to make a donation of materials to Habitat for Humanity's Ajax ReStore, it was so big the organization had to borrow warehouse space from a neighbour to store it all.

In total, Don and Son donated 12 skids of material including paint, door hardware, roofing accessories, plumbing supplies and more. The January gift is valued at more than $62,000.

"First of all we renovated our store and we were creating more space for our core items," said Don and Son general manager Lou Mastroianni.

Instead of selling the surplus items, the company decided to donate.

"It was a good cause. We felt the work Habitat was doing was very important and it was a good way to give back to the community," said Mr. Mastroianni.

The Ajax ReStore, which opened last summer, carries a little bit of everything residents could want for a home renovation, including the kitchen sink. But there wasn't enough space for all the material from Don and Son, and that's where another generous company came in, said Mary Bone, Habitat for Humanity Durham's executive director.

The material was housed next door to Habitat at the Environmental Factor. That company has also made a $12,000 in-kind donation to the ReStore of environmentally friendly lawn-care items.

Ms. Bone said donations from contractors and building suppliers are welcome at any time, as are donations from the public. She said it could be something as simple as a couple boxes of extra tiles or hardwood flooring, kitchen cabinets and sinks after a renovation and appliances no older than 15 years.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be a cash donation to help us," said Ms. Bone, adding Habitat for Humanity will issue a tax receipt for the value of the gift.

In fact, the organization is also always looking for volunteers. Habitat now offers a program where volunteering can generate a free pass to Disney World. The public can pitch in in a variety of ways, including operating the store, helping out around the office and rehabbing used items for sale.

"If you're good at fixing things, we'd love to have people who like to tinker," said Ms. Bone.

She also suggests that residents looking to do some work in the home should check out the ReStore.

"This is probably one of the first places you should start to look for the items simply because we receive everything as a donation and we slash the prices," she said. "When you walk in the door, you're going to get 50 per cent off."

And, even if residents aren't focusing on home improvement, visits to the ReStore can also yield home decor items like lamps and mirrors, equipment for working in the yard and appliances.

In addition to helping fund new homes, proceeds from the ReStore cover the costs to operate Habitat for Humanity so when the organization receives cash donations, 100 per cent goes into the homes.

So far, Habitat for Humanity Durham has built two homes, one in Uxbridge and one in Oshawa, and Ms. Bone said the organization is always looking for potential new sites, but they depend on donated land.

She said the ReStore has been a big success in the Ajax community and there are plans to open an Oshawa location as well.

Mr. Mastroianni said other local businesses should consider donating.

"Don't be afraid, I encourage them to do it," he said, pointing out that ultimately he's in the same business as Habitat for Humanity. "At the end of the day, our business is very much still very localized."

Ms. Bone agreed.

"I would encourage people and companies to think of us before throwing things in the garbage ... call us and see if it's something we can take."

The Ajax ReStore is at 85 Chambers Dr. and is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information on the ReStore or Habitat for Humanity Durham, visit habitatnorthdurham.com.